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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
I, The Constable
An original enovella set in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine universe!
With his Starfleet assignment temporarily on hold, Odo needs a distraction. He welcomes Chief O’Brien’s offer to loan him some of the action-packed books that both men relish: tales about hard-boiled private eyes, threatening thugs, and duplicitous dames. Then Quark suddenly goes missing during a hastily planned trip to Ferenginar. His concerned friends on Deep Space Nine feel that Odo, as the station’s former chief of security, is uniquely suited to track Quark down. But once on Ferenginar, Odo learns that Quark is trapped in the seamy underbelly of a criminal enterprise that could have been ripped from the pages of one of O’Brien’s novels. To find the bartender, Odo discovers that he must rely not only on his law enforcement background, but his knowledge of all things noir….
With his Starfleet assignment temporarily on hold, Odo needs a distraction. He welcomes Chief O’Brien’s offer to loan him some of the action-packed books that both men relish: tales about hard-boiled private eyes, threatening thugs, and duplicitous dames. Then Quark suddenly goes missing during a hastily planned trip to Ferenginar. His concerned friends on Deep Space Nine feel that Odo, as the station’s former chief of security, is uniquely suited to track Quark down. But once on Ferenginar, Odo learns that Quark is trapped in the seamy underbelly of a criminal enterprise that could have been ripped from the pages of one of O’Brien’s novels. To find the bartender, Odo discovers that he must rely not only on his law enforcement background, but his knowledge of all things noir….
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2017
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308 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 6, 2021
DS9 is my favorite Trek series. It all comes down to great characters, and with very few exceptions all of the major characters, and many of the secondary ones, are wonderful. This is a very good DS9 story. Odo, Quark and Rom are faithfully portrayed, along with the nuances of their relationships, and there's some good mystery and action. It would make for a great episode. Who could ask for more, especially in a novella sized story such as this.
June 21, 2024
If you have no interest in Star Trek, don’t bother with this novella.
If you have no knowledge of Start Trek Deep Space 9, this isn’t a good place to start.
I have been away from all of this for a long while, though I did enjoy Deep Space 9 when it first was available and Odo, the shapeshifter constable, was one of my favorite characters. This story is all about Odo’s return to Deep Space 9 (a waystation along the path of interstellar commerce). No sooner is he on the space station but he is asked to do a favor for the station head Captain Ro. It all involves the Ferengi and particularly, Quark, who runs the local watering hole / casino. Soon, Odo is off to the Ferengi home planet, Ferenginar, the last place that Quark was known to have been.
All the familiar tropes are included: "“I haven’t ascertained a motive for Quark’s disappearance yet,” the Changeling concluded. “Latinum,” Quirk said without looking up from his padd. “Well, I can’t state that for certain,” Odo said. “That’s certainly a possibility, but—” “No ‘buts,’ ” Quirk stated confidently. “It’s always latinum. There’s really no other motive for anything on Ferenginar.”"
The “mysteries” are resolved early and only a bit of a chase (with Odo using some of his many forms) remains. There is an attempt to link Odo’s adopted investigative style to that of classic P.I.s of the 20th century. We are told that Chief O’Brien lent Odo some of those works of Hammett and Chandler. The story is told from 3 perspectives: Odo’s letters to a friend; Odo’s investigation; and, Quark’s.
When style comes before substance; and style overwhelms substance; then there isn’t much to recommend this for any but the most devoted Deep Space 9 fans.
Some of the humor:
"“Nice hat,” he said as a way of easing into the conversation. “Thank you! I like to think Frin would have appreciated it. Oh, can I get you some tea? I still have some snacks that were prepared for the desiccation ceremony. Very tasty! And prechewed, of course.”"
And a variation -
"In truth, his only thought had been to program a bowl of tube grubs—but now that she’d implanted the thought of making a weapon of some sort, well, that seemed like a pretty good idea as well. Maybe something that would do double duty, like a meaty Antarean sausage. When rendered correctly, the meter-long delicacy, consisting primarily of ground Antarean tree beetles encased in targ intestine, was so dense it could be sharpened and used as a spear (which is why it had been a favorite Klingon field ration for decades)."
Another attempt –
"“For the moment, this is the safest place for you,” Odo explained patiently. “Safe? What if they come back before you do? I think they’re planning to kill me!” “I’m sure you’re correct,” Odo agreed, doing nothing to calm Quark’s fears. “But try to . . . relax. Take a nap or something.”
And a variation -
"“But a half hour is too long!” Rom wailed. “Odo said to ‘step on it.’ The . . . uh . . . ‘goons’ could suddenly decide that Quark is no longer useful to them. I mean, you don’t know him. He’s not exactly the most ingratiating guest!” “I suspect that it’s a family trait,” Quirk said softly before turning to look directly at the nagus. “Look, the situation is what it is. Why don’t you sit down and relax? Take a nap."
2.5
If you have no knowledge of Start Trek Deep Space 9, this isn’t a good place to start.
I have been away from all of this for a long while, though I did enjoy Deep Space 9 when it first was available and Odo, the shapeshifter constable, was one of my favorite characters. This story is all about Odo’s return to Deep Space 9 (a waystation along the path of interstellar commerce). No sooner is he on the space station but he is asked to do a favor for the station head Captain Ro. It all involves the Ferengi and particularly, Quark, who runs the local watering hole / casino. Soon, Odo is off to the Ferengi home planet, Ferenginar, the last place that Quark was known to have been.
All the familiar tropes are included: "“I haven’t ascertained a motive for Quark’s disappearance yet,” the Changeling concluded. “Latinum,” Quirk said without looking up from his padd. “Well, I can’t state that for certain,” Odo said. “That’s certainly a possibility, but—” “No ‘buts,’ ” Quirk stated confidently. “It’s always latinum. There’s really no other motive for anything on Ferenginar.”"
The “mysteries” are resolved early and only a bit of a chase (with Odo using some of his many forms) remains. There is an attempt to link Odo’s adopted investigative style to that of classic P.I.s of the 20th century. We are told that Chief O’Brien lent Odo some of those works of Hammett and Chandler. The story is told from 3 perspectives: Odo’s letters to a friend; Odo’s investigation; and, Quark’s.
When style comes before substance; and style overwhelms substance; then there isn’t much to recommend this for any but the most devoted Deep Space 9 fans.
Some of the humor:
"“Nice hat,” he said as a way of easing into the conversation. “Thank you! I like to think Frin would have appreciated it. Oh, can I get you some tea? I still have some snacks that were prepared for the desiccation ceremony. Very tasty! And prechewed, of course.”"
And a variation -
"In truth, his only thought had been to program a bowl of tube grubs—but now that she’d implanted the thought of making a weapon of some sort, well, that seemed like a pretty good idea as well. Maybe something that would do double duty, like a meaty Antarean sausage. When rendered correctly, the meter-long delicacy, consisting primarily of ground Antarean tree beetles encased in targ intestine, was so dense it could be sharpened and used as a spear (which is why it had been a favorite Klingon field ration for decades)."
Another attempt –
"“For the moment, this is the safest place for you,” Odo explained patiently. “Safe? What if they come back before you do? I think they’re planning to kill me!” “I’m sure you’re correct,” Odo agreed, doing nothing to calm Quark’s fears. “But try to . . . relax. Take a nap or something.”
And a variation -
"“But a half hour is too long!” Rom wailed. “Odo said to ‘step on it.’ The . . . uh . . . ‘goons’ could suddenly decide that Quark is no longer useful to them. I mean, you don’t know him. He’s not exactly the most ingratiating guest!” “I suspect that it’s a family trait,” Quirk said softly before turning to look directly at the nagus. “Look, the situation is what it is. Why don’t you sit down and relax? Take a nap."
2.5
June 6, 2021
A fun quick read. Perfectly captures the feel of a Ferengi episode, with a zany plot of comic violence/crime and truly, truly silly "world-building".
January 12, 2022
OK so I read this while recovering from the Pfizer booster shot and I honestly don't know how much of this was literal rather than figurative fever dream. Silly. Stupid. Delightful. 10/10 Please continue to waste my time.
July 12, 2018
A fun read involving some great character writing by Paula Block and Terry Erdmann. These two do an excellent job capturing the voices of Quark, Rom, and Odo, and continue the arc of these characters in a fun and interesting way, especially Quark. Highly recommend for fans of Deep Space Nine!
Full review (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mV5...
Full review (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mV5...
October 18, 2019
Well, this is the last of this little unnamed trilogy set in the Deep Space Nine universe and starring Ferengi stuff. I had to say ‘stuff’ instead of ‘people’ there because this specific book mostly follows Odo as lead character, and he’s not a Ferengi.
I’m not sure why I thought this specific book would star Odo in a holo-program situation. Something about the cover gave me that idea. And the first book in the series did involve Quark running around searching for a specific holonovel (and no, I didn’t expect Odo to ‘play’ that holonovel in this book, I, going by the book cover, thought he might ‘play’ a detective inspired one). Seemed fitting, then, with the series starting with a holonovel to end with one. Instead it involved Odo reading books instead of ‘playing’ them. Oh, and conducting an investigation.
Odo has picked up the habit, somewhere near the beginning of this book, of reading Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, and the like noir books. You know, books that were dust long before publication of this specific book here. O’Brien, it appears to have hooked Odo up with this addiction.
Well, the book mostly focuses on Odo – and somewhere along the way he learns that Quark has gone missing, and various people think Odo should investigate. So he does, somewhat reluctantly. Where’d Quark go missing? On Ferenginar, the Ferengi home planet.
It was interesting enough to follow along behind Odo, even when he had people just spill their observations onto him (occasionally restructuring his ears to catch everything everyone was saying) and using these outpourings to ‘imagine’ the scene that unfolded with Quark in it. Somewhere along the way, though, Odo moved past the point Quark went missing, and therefore past the point anyone could be an eyewitness to what Quark was doing. So the authors felt the need to then switch the POV to Quark for what only he could have seen. I’d have preferred if they had just stuck with Odo.
Interesting read. The ‘best’ of the three I read by these authors.
Rating: 3.82
October 18 2019
I’m not sure why I thought this specific book would star Odo in a holo-program situation. Something about the cover gave me that idea. And the first book in the series did involve Quark running around searching for a specific holonovel (and no, I didn’t expect Odo to ‘play’ that holonovel in this book, I, going by the book cover, thought he might ‘play’ a detective inspired one). Seemed fitting, then, with the series starting with a holonovel to end with one. Instead it involved Odo reading books instead of ‘playing’ them. Oh, and conducting an investigation.
Odo has picked up the habit, somewhere near the beginning of this book, of reading Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, and the like noir books. You know, books that were dust long before publication of this specific book here. O’Brien, it appears to have hooked Odo up with this addiction.
Well, the book mostly focuses on Odo – and somewhere along the way he learns that Quark has gone missing, and various people think Odo should investigate. So he does, somewhat reluctantly. Where’d Quark go missing? On Ferenginar, the Ferengi home planet.
It was interesting enough to follow along behind Odo, even when he had people just spill their observations onto him (occasionally restructuring his ears to catch everything everyone was saying) and using these outpourings to ‘imagine’ the scene that unfolded with Quark in it. Somewhere along the way, though, Odo moved past the point Quark went missing, and therefore past the point anyone could be an eyewitness to what Quark was doing. So the authors felt the need to then switch the POV to Quark for what only he could have seen. I’d have preferred if they had just stuck with Odo.
Interesting read. The ‘best’ of the three I read by these authors.
Rating: 3.82
October 18 2019
August 2, 2021
Nice short novel for this avid Star Trek fan. If you are not a Deep Space Nine fan you may not understand the character but otherwise it was like an episode from the show.
August 8, 2021
A coupla goons & murders most foul
I haven't kept up with most of the post-series DS9/Star Trek novels -- there are so many and they intertwine so heavily in some cases -- but I will always read about Odo doing what he does best, detective shenanigans.
Thankfully only a small amount of post-DS9 knowledge is needed (that Kira is a vedek, the original DS9 was destroyed so a new one was built and that Ro Laren is the commander of it) because at its heart this is a whodunit caper.
Reading as Odo mixed lingo from the noir novels of the 20th century was amusing even as he painstakingly dealt with every new piece of information. The letters he wrote to Nerys that summed up some mundane investigative moments worked well, Odo has always tried to keep her abreast of things.
Fans of noir detective fiction will likely guess the culprit (though perhaps not the motivation as its thoroughly Ferengi in nature), but the real entertainment here was reading about our old friends in a situation made perfect to remind us why, at the end of the day, they remain so iconic.
I haven't kept up with most of the post-series DS9/Star Trek novels -- there are so many and they intertwine so heavily in some cases -- but I will always read about Odo doing what he does best, detective shenanigans.
Thankfully only a small amount of post-DS9 knowledge is needed (that Kira is a vedek, the original DS9 was destroyed so a new one was built and that Ro Laren is the commander of it) because at its heart this is a whodunit caper.
Reading as Odo mixed lingo from the noir novels of the 20th century was amusing even as he painstakingly dealt with every new piece of information. The letters he wrote to Nerys that summed up some mundane investigative moments worked well, Odo has always tried to keep her abreast of things.
Fans of noir detective fiction will likely guess the culprit (though perhaps not the motivation as its thoroughly Ferengi in nature), but the real entertainment here was reading about our old friends in a situation made perfect to remind us why, at the end of the day, they remain so iconic.
November 13, 2017
Following news of his uncle's death on Ferenginar, Quark has disappeared. At a loose end, former Constable Odo accepts a mission from Captain Ro and Grand Nagus Rom to locate the missing ambassador.
With an eye to noir fiction, Block and Erdman have created a 'Star Trek' novella in the style of Mickey Spillane and Dashiell Hammett.
With an eye to noir fiction, Block and Erdman have created a 'Star Trek' novella in the style of Mickey Spillane and Dashiell Hammett.
December 14, 2017
Another enjoyable DS9 novella. It was fun to read a detective story’s from Odo’s point of view, and Quark is amusing as always. I hope the author’s are allowed to continue with these short novels well into the future.
November 25, 2023
Absolutely a frippery, but a relatively solid post-finale story from Deep Space Nine. Quark rushes off to Ferenginar when financial matters blow up thanks to his brother Rom, now Grand Nagus. Quark then vanishes, and Odo is convinced to go find the wayward bar owner. Chaos, calamity, and comedy ensue, of course, which is all well and good.
Unfortunately, authors Block and Erdmann establish early on that Odo has been getting into noir and pulp fiction, reading a mix of Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler, and that this has been having a psychological effect on him (hence the title, a riff on I, the Jury). Unfortunately, aside from passing mentions of the books borrowed from Chief O'Brien and the occasional language lapse, there's no indication of this -- and we don't even stick with Odo's viewpoint throughout. Alo...no mention of Dixon Hill? Only the most famous PI in the Star Trek universe!
Unfortunately, authors Block and Erdmann establish early on that Odo has been getting into noir and pulp fiction, reading a mix of Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler, and that this has been having a psychological effect on him (hence the title, a riff on I, the Jury). Unfortunately, aside from passing mentions of the books borrowed from Chief O'Brien and the occasional language lapse, there's no indication of this -- and we don't even stick with Odo's viewpoint throughout. Alo...no mention of Dixon Hill? Only the most famous PI in the Star Trek universe!
June 14, 2021
Odo doing what he does best: harrumphing and rescuing Quark even though he claims to heavily dislike him. He also has a bad case of fiction lag (the temporary change in personality that occurs after being deeply involved with a work of fiction) from all the noir novels he's been reading from Miles. Such a delightful short mystery novel to read before bed EVEN THOUGH I would have loved more Ferengi world building, I still super enjoyed it.
November 14, 2017
Quark has disappeared on Ferenginar, and -- as a favor to DS9's commander -- Odo is putting on his constable's uniform to hunt for him. The trail leads to dead bodies, scheming women, and a deal involving a sludge fund and a casino. As the case progresses, Odo uses more and more detective-story slang. It's amusing if one likes detective fiction and can tolerate Ferengi.
June 11, 2018
Fun caper with the Constable!
Quark is missing, and it's up to Odo, ex-constable from Deep Space Nine to find out what happened!
This was a nice entry in "current" DS9 history (including the rebuilt station). Intrigue on Feringar and Odo channeling Mike Hammer and Dashiel Hammet make for a nice mix!
Quark is missing, and it's up to Odo, ex-constable from Deep Space Nine to find out what happened!
This was a nice entry in "current" DS9 history (including the rebuilt station). Intrigue on Feringar and Odo channeling Mike Hammer and Dashiel Hammet make for a nice mix!
November 2, 2019
This was a solid e-novella. The writing style took away from the story again (as it did from this writing duo’s previous e-books) but it was fun to have a light hearted story focusing on Odo, Quark, and Rom. With DRGIII’s complete failure to tell compelling DS9 stories, it was nice to finally have some familiarity and fun with these characters again.
June 29, 2020
Thrilling and Absorbing story.
This book is well written and original in its composition. This story features Quark and Odo. It's another small gem of a tale. This book was finished in 2 sessions. It' relatively shortness in lentgh doesn't detract from it being a marvel. It is worth the price made out for it.
This book is well written and original in its composition. This story features Quark and Odo. It's another small gem of a tale. This book was finished in 2 sessions. It' relatively shortness in lentgh doesn't detract from it being a marvel. It is worth the price made out for it.
March 2, 2018
Nice Odo story
It’s nice to see a story about Odo since he’s been absent for so long. I wish we only saw it through Odo’s “eyes”. It would have felt more like a classic mystery story.
It’s nice to see a story about Odo since he’s been absent for so long. I wish we only saw it through Odo’s “eyes”. It would have felt more like a classic mystery story.
August 5, 2018
A true detective novel for Odo
If you always wanted to see doo as a true detective then this is your chance. Full of humor and typical angst between Odo and Quark situation in life.
If you always wanted to see doo as a true detective then this is your chance. Full of humor and typical angst between Odo and Quark situation in life.
May 17, 2019
This was a fun book, mainly centered on Ferenginar with Odo, Rom, and Quark, but not actually a Deep Space Nine story. It is a great murder mystery book and a page turner. I did enjoy this look into the lives of the Ferengi, and an expansion on Odo's law enforcement skills. Read it!
March 15, 2021
It’s a cute novella with a fun style. I did feel the essence of some characters, such as Ro Laren, was a bit off. But if you’re looking for a quick read and some Ferengi world fun, it’s definitely quick and fun.
October 22, 2022
This one combined two of my favorite book things: Star Trek and mysteries.
Odo has become interested in reading detective novels. In this book, he essentially gets to play the part and solve the mystery of what's happened to Quark.
I really enjoyed this one.
Odo has become interested in reading detective novels. In this book, he essentially gets to play the part and solve the mystery of what's happened to Quark.
I really enjoyed this one.
February 6, 2023
I am biased.
Loved this show when it was on the air.
And this book scratched an old itch of mine as I could see it is a full on episode.
Note
This takes place after the series end. Still is fun to read and throughly enjoy
Loved this show when it was on the air.
And this book scratched an old itch of mine as I could see it is a full on episode.
Note
This takes place after the series end. Still is fun to read and throughly enjoy
November 26, 2017
An enjoyable novella featuring Odo and Quark.
December 2, 2017
I enjoyed it. It says something about the writers that I could definitely hear René Auberjonois's voice throughout.
December 12, 2017
Formulaic fun
This read as if written for television. No surprises, but it was nice to visit with the old gang from DS9.
This read as if written for television. No surprises, but it was nice to visit with the old gang from DS9.
December 21, 2017
A great mystery adventure!
Fantastic book cover art. Too,bad it's not in the book. Odo looks the part of a gumshoe p.i.. A fan!
Fantastic book cover art. Too,bad it's not in the book. Odo looks the part of a gumshoe p.i.. A fan!
February 14, 2018
Short fun read
Like a holodeck episode but on Ferenginar rather than VR. Much fun. More, please! Odo the detective deserves many more cases.
Like a holodeck episode but on Ferenginar rather than VR. Much fun. More, please! Odo the detective deserves many more cases.
June 30, 2018
Fun, short read.
July 4, 2018
The old gang together again
It's only a short novella but it satisfies the DS9 fan wanting to see the story of these characters forwarded in a positive way.
It's only a short novella but it satisfies the DS9 fan wanting to see the story of these characters forwarded in a positive way.
August 19, 2018
Quark has gone missing and it's up to Odo to find him. This is another fun Ferengi story by Paula Block and Terry Erdmann. I've read all three of their DS9 novels and have enjoyed them all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews